“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs Worksheet
Name_________________________
SECTION A—Summary Details
Directions: Answer the questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. What spell was put on the monkey’s paw?
2. Where and how did Sergeant-Major Morris get the paw? BE SPECIFIC!
3. What were the three wishes Mr. White made, and why did he wish for each?
4. Describe what Herbert saw in the flames?
5. After Herbert is gone, what kind of relationship do Mr. and Mrs. White have? Why would you
consider this a normal relationship given the circumstances?
Section B—Character Details.
Directions: Give a description to include looks and personality for each of the following
characters. Hint: Look closely at how they act and react throughout the story.
1. Sergeant-Major Morris—
2. Mr. White—
3. Mrs. White—
4. Herbert—
Section C—Story Details.
Directions: Provide the details for the following terms.
1. Setting (Where does the story take place?)—
2. Theme (The fakir explained what he wanted people to realize.)
3. Mood (Describe the overall effect this story intends to have on its audience.)
4. Foreshadow (When do you receive the actual prediction of what is going to happen to Herbert?)
5. Moral (What is the message of this story?)
Section D—Stated Topic Sentences.
Directions: Read each paragraph and underline the topic (main) sentence, and list the supporting
details in the lines below to prove that the underlined sentence is the topic sentence. REMEMBER
THAT A TOPIC SENTENCE DOES NOT HAVE TO BEGIN THE PARAGRAPH. Find the
topic sentence by determining what the overall theme of that paragraph is about.
Example: “Mr. White dropped the paw back into his pocket, and placing chairs, motioned his friend to
the table. In the business of supper the talisman was partly forgotten. Afterward the three sat listening
in an enthralled fashion to a second installment of the soldier’s adventures in India.” The Monkey’s
Paw, bottom of pg. 4.
He dropped it back in his pocket, which shows he doesn’t really care about the paw. They were busy
eating supper and talking, so they wouldn’t think about the paw. Morris also told stories about his
adventures in India, so they were focused more on that than the paw.
1. “That’s the worst part of living so far out,” bawled Mr. White, with sudden and unlooked-for
violence. “Of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway’s a
bog, and the road’s a torrent. I don’t know what people are thinking about. I supposed because
only two houses on the road are let (lived in), they think it doesn’t matter.” The Monkey’s Paw, pg.
50
2. “His wife made no reply. She was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside, who,
peering in an undecided fashion at the house, appeared to be trying to make up his mind to enter. In
mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she noticed that the stranger was well dressed and
wore a silk hat of glossy newness. Three times he paused at the gate, and then walked on again.
The fourth time he stood with his hand upon it, and then with sudden resolution flung it open and
walked up the path. Mrs. White at the same moment placed her hands behind her, and hurriedly
unfastening the strings of her apron, put that useful article of apparel beneath the cushion of the
chair.” The Monkey’s Paw, middle of pg. 7